AC Transit to End Year with Balanced Budget

News Articles03/05/2013

For the second consecutive year, AC Transit is on track to end the fiscal year with a balanced budget, resulting from a series of new initiatives and performance strategies.

The ongoing recovery of the local economy has led to a more stable, reliable stream of subsidies primarily from sales and parcel taxes. But new performance and management strategies have taken hold over the past year, cutting expenses, boosting workforce efficiency and winning approval from the AC Transit Board of Directors.

“It is great to know that we have a stable budget platform to make our service better as we proceed into the future,” said Board President Greg Harper.

Key among the budgetary successes during the July 2012-June 2013 fiscal year has been the hiring and training of dozens of new bus operators. By increasing the availability of operators, the agency simultaneously has enhanced its on-time performance while reducing the need for costly overtime.

Last year, the agency’s budget was balanced with deft but austere adjustments that included layoffs, service reductions, and the closing of the Richmond bus yard. This year, balancing the agency’s $314 million operating budget has been largely the product of new management techniques.

“Our focus now is on a variety of new initiatives to improve efficiency as a way to both upgrade our customer service and lower our expenses,” said General Manager David Armijo. “As an example, we are buying new, better-performing buses–phasing out older, less reliable vehicles that routinely require expensive repairs.”

In addition:

Operating revenues have been slightly higher that projected

Operating expenses have been slightly lower than projected.

Subsidies overall were slightly more than originally budgeted.

Property taxes are expected to provide increased funding.

“All things considered, we are heading in the right direction,” Armijo said.